"They killed him in the living room, they killed him unjustly." With these words, through tears and tremors, Cuban Yudimi Rodríguez recounted the moment she witnessed her son's death during a police operation in her own home in Miami-Dade County.
Her testimony, captured by Telemundo 51, reveals a devastated mother struggling to comprehend why armed officers stormed her house, ultimately shooting her son.
Rodríguez claims the incident unfolded as the family was asleep in their residence at 15513 SW 102nd Court, in the Palmetto Estates community. Present were her children, her ill husband, and two minors. According to her account, SWAT officers forcibly entered by breaking down the door, and within moments, gunfire erupted, taking the young man's life.
"My three-year-old son witnessed his brother being killed," she recounted, sobbing. "They shot him down as if he were a criminal. He had nothing to do with what they were after."
The family identifies the deceased as Christian Barata. Although initial reports and testimonies present variations of his name, they consistently point to Rodríguez's eldest son, a young man she says worked at the airport and was preparing to join the Army. Her other son, Christopher Barata, was detained during the operation.
Rodríguez vehemently denies any family involvement in crimes related to child pornography, which, according to County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, prompted the intervention at their home.
While the mother cried out for answers, authorities provided their initial official statement. Sheriff Cordero-Stutz told local media that officers had evacuated two adults and a child before the shooting, and that an armed man confronted the officers at the door.
The family strongly disputes this account. They claim no one attempted to open the door, that her husband was subdued without explanation, and that officers did not properly announce their entry. They also suggest the possibility of a mistake, which the sheriff denies.
Surrounded by police tape and cameras, Yudimi struggled to remain standing. "In a moment, they destroyed my life, my home," she repeated over and over: "They killed him, they killed him."
As is standard in all cases involving law enforcement shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has taken over the investigation. The family intends to pursue legal action to uncover the truth.
Key Questions About the Miami Police Operation Incident
What prompted the police operation at the Rodríguez home?
According to Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, the operation was initiated due to an investigation into child pornography crimes.
How did the family describe the police entry?
The family claims that officers forcibly entered without proper announcement, and disputes that anyone confronted the police.
Who will investigate the shooting incident?
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will conduct the investigation into the shooting.